draft webxdc realtime blog post

_posts/2024-11-17-webxdc-realtime.md

@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+---
+title: Delta Chat introduces P2P networking for webxdc apps 
+author: olgax
+image: ../assets/logos/webxdc-centered.png
+---
+
+<img src="../assets/logos/webxdc2.png" style="width:160px; float:right; clear:both; margin-left:.5em; margin-bottom:.2em;" alt="Webxdc Logo" />
+The rolling Delta Chat 1.48 app releases introduce the new 
+[webxdc realtime API](https://webxdc.org/docs/spec/joinRealtimeChannel.html) 
+which establishes a private P2P network between all users of a chat-shared app. 
+Web apps can now call [webxdc.joinRealtimeChannel()](https://webxdc.org/docs/spec/joinRealtimeChannel.html) and thereby instruct the hosting messenger to establish ephemeral 
+realtime channels with peers.  
+
+To implement webxdc realtime channels, 
+Delta Chat uses the [Iroh Networking library](https://iroh.computer),
+driven by an experienced developer team with whom we enjoy collaboration for a longer time; big shoutout as Iroh is also behind the multi-device setup of Delta Chat!
+
+The new webxdc realtime API is not only easier to use than the classic 
+[WebRTC Browser API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/RTCPeerConnection).
+but it is also faster in some situations, according to preliminary measurements. 
+Here is a little 30 second video showcasing the
+[offline-first and realtime Pixel app](XXX link to latest release) 
+between an iPhone and an old Android phone. 
+
+<video controls style="width:560px; max-width: 100%;"><source src="https://merlinux.eu/webxdc-realtime-148.mp4" type="video/mp4"></video>
+
+In the following sections, we provide technical details about "Pixel" 
+and highlight a few other first realtime apps
+that are available through the [webxdc app store](https://webxdc.org/apps/). 
+
+## Pixel app is small, offline-first and realtime 
+
+XXX add pixel image on the right side 
+
+The [source code of the pixel app](https://codeberg.org/webxdc/pixel/src/branch/main/script.js) 
+
+- consists of 241 lines of Javascript (including all dependencies),
+
+- offers collaborative realtime pixel-drawing 
+
+- BUT does not require users to be online at the same time. 
+
+The pixel app achieves its hybrid offline-first and realtime connectivity 
+by using two separate webxdc messaging APIs:
+
+- [webxdc.sendUpdate](https://webxdc.org/docs/spec/sendUpdate.html) 
+  to relay "application updates" through the regular host messenger channel 
+  (e-mail for Delta Chat, XMPP for Cheogram and Monocles). 
+
+- [realtimeChannel.send](https://webxdc.org/docs/spec/sendUpdate.html) 
+  to relay ephemeral application messages to any P2P-connected chat partner
+
+If you want to understand how the pixel app achieves "eventual synchronization for all users",
+we suggest to dive into the [Shared Web Application state chapter](https://webxdc.org/docs/shared_state/index.html)
+and then read [the 241 lines of Javascript](https://codeberg.org/webxdc/pixel/src/branch/main/script.js). 
+
+If you want to improve the app, please feel free to fork and [submit your variant](https://codeberg.org/webxdc/xdcget/src/branch/main/SUBMIT.md). 
+There already is the [ColorPixel app](https://apps.testrun.org/deltazen-pixel-v0.3.0.xdc)
+which is a [Pixel fork](https://github.com/DeltaZen/pixel) 
+where each participant draws pixels in a different color. 
+
+## The "Pong" app is realtime-only and implements delay compensation 
+
+XXX provide 10-second Pong video of two players playing 
+
+The [pong app](https://apps.testrun.org/pong-v1.xdc) 
+is a simple two-player implementation of the classic ping pong 
+experience back in the 1970ties. 
+It's UX wise rudimentary but implements basic "clock synchronization" 
+which is an important consideration for any realtime networked gaming app.  
+Please see the [pong source code](https://codeberg.org/webxdc/pong/src/branch/main) 
+for details. 
+
+## The Unix terminal app using a realtime channel to a chat bot 
+
+XXX provide screenshot of an xdcterminal in a messagelist 
+
+The [xdcterm app demo](https://github.com/link2xt/xdcterm) requires
+a npm/node install to run a chat bot and then provides a Terminal app 
+so that you (or a group member of a chat group) can open a realtime terminal 
+to where the chat bot runs. 
+
+## The LiveChat app providing true realtime ephemeral chatting 
+
+XXX provide a 10-second video of 3 people live chatting 
+
+## The editor with offline-first optional realtime syncing 
+
+XXX provide a 20-second video of 3 people editing 
+
+
+## Get ready, player one!
+
+If you are interested in webxdc app development, we recommend the following readings: 
+
+- [Getting started on developing your own app](https://webxdc.org/docs/)
+
+- [Webxdc (Psst!) reclaiming Peer-to-Peer Web
+  technology](https://delta.chat/en/2024-02-15-webxdc-m3)
+
+- [Bringing E2E privacy to the Web: 4th security audit 😅](https://delta.chat/en/2023-05-22-webxdc-security)
+
+Don't hestitate to get back to our fediverse account or other contact addresses
+with any questions!